Oliver's Great Big Universe -- Jorge Cham, Paperback

This laugh-out-loud illustrated series is "mind-expanding and hilarious!" says Jeff Kinney, author of the international bestselling series Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

"An absolute gem!" Lincoln Peirce, bestselling creator of Big Nate, agrees. "Will get the entire family laughing and learning together," adds Kazu Kibuishi, creator of the New York Times bestselling Amulet graphic novel series.

From the bestselling writer and creator of PHD Comics, Jorge Cham, Oliver's Great Big Universe is a diary-style series following an 11-year-old who's taking on the whole universe--if he can survive middle school first.

Oliver has a lot going on as he starts his first year of middle school--new friends, new classes, new everything. But at least there's one thing that still makes sense: science!

Determined to be an astrophysicist one day, Oliver explains everything he learns--like how the sun burps, how ghost particles fly through you, the uncanny similarities between Mercury and cafeteria meatballs, and most important, how the Big Bang is basically just like a fart in the school hallway.

Also, there are time-bending black holes, exploding supernova stars, and aliens! Well, there could be aliens.

Oliver finally feels like he's starting to figure things out . . . but can he stay out of the principal's office or catch a break from his annoying sister?

Oliver's Great Big Universe series:
Oliver's Great Big Universe (#1)
Oliver's Great Big Universe: Volcanoes Are Hot! (#2)

Author: Jorge Cham
Publisher: Amulet Books
Published: 08/26/2025
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781419764097
Audience: Young Adult

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.7
Point Value: 3
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 554269 / Oliver's Great Big Universe

About the Author
Jorge Cham is the bestselling, Emmy-nominated creator of . . . many things: from the hit PBS show Elinor Wonders Why to the hit nonfiction book for adults called We Have No Idea, along with the hit podcast Daniel & Jorge Explain the Universe and the popular webcomic PHD Comics. He is, without a doubt, an expert on explaining things about the world in interesting and fun ways. He obtained his PhD in robotics from Stanford University and was an instructor and research associate at Caltech from 2003 to 2005. He is originally from Panama and now resides in Los Angeles.